Pouring spout assembly and mounting arrangement



Feb. 24, 1959 E. J. ZICKEFOOSE 2,874,424

FOURING SPOUT ASSEMBLY AND MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT Filed May 9, 1955 Y INVENTOR.

using same whereby the service life of the United States Patent POURING SPOUT AS SEMBLY AND MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT Ellis J. Zickefoose, Chicago Heights, 11]., asslgnor to Griflin Wheel Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application May 9, 1955, Serial No. 507,055

17 Claims. (Cl. 22-69) This invention relates to the casting of metals by forcing molten metal under pressure upwardly into a mold. More particularly, the invention is concerned with the provision of a novel pouring spout structure and to the method of forming and, using same.

As disclosed in a copending patent application, Serial No. 299,071, filed July 16, 1952, now abandoned, in the name of Edmund Q. Sylvester, molten metal is forced upwardly through a tubular pouring spout structure into a mold. As conventional pouring tubes are formed from a highly refractory mix comprising, for example, fire clays, grog and fused silica, they are very fragile and are easily broken when improperly handled, mountedor used. It is,also often necessary to replace the pouring ,spouts or tubes because of air leakage through the tube into the metal during pouring.

Because ceramic tubes are so light compared with the molten metal in which they are immersed, the buoyancy of the metal exerts strong pressures upon the lower portions of the tubes tending to bend or break them. In order to minimize this upward pressure, it is essential that the tubes be maintained in vertical positions or with their longitudinal axes extending normally to the surface of the molten metal at all times. It is difficult to maintain the tubes in perfect vertical position at all times because the tubes tend to bend after relatively short.

periods of use. Inasmuch as the tubes are not all perfectly straight when acquired and also because some of the tubes are bent in their use, to maintainthem in perfect vertical alignment it is necessary that provision be made to facilitate theirladjustment from time to time to ensure true vertical alignment.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a pouring spout structure and method of forming and structure is materially increased.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a pouring spout structure in which the tube is coated with an unbroken film of glaze to prevent the leakage of air therethrough.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a pouring spout structure in which the pouring tube may be readily and securely mounted in fixed, airtight engagement upon the cover of a housing provided to enclose a ladle of molten metal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a readily adjustable mounting means for a ceramic pouring tube to accommodate its being maintained in a vertical position at all times.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of a means to rotatably mount the pouring structure in order that the angle of the tube relative to the vertical can be easily and quickly regulated at all times.

The invention embodies other novel features, details of construction and arrangement of parts which are hereinafter set forth in the specification and claims, and illuslratecl in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view illustrating a pouring spout structure embodying features of the invention, only onehalf of the structure being shown as opposite halves are identical; a

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 22 of Figure 1.

Referring now to'the drawing for a better understanding of the invention, the pouring spout structure 5 is shown as mounted upon a horizontally disposed cover 6 of a sealed container (not shown) in which is disposed a ladle (not shown) containing a bath of molten metal, as set forth in the patent application heretofore mentioned. The molten metal is adapted to be directed upwardly through the pouring spout structure into the casting cavity of a mold 7 which, as set forth in said application, is preferably tilted to prevent the entrapment of air within the casting cavity.

The pouringspout structure 5 is shown as comprising a wedge shape ring 8 welded at 9 to the upper surface of the cover 6. The upper surface 11 of the ring 8 is inclined at an angle. of, for example, 3 /2 degrees from the plane of the cover. The ring 8 is adapted to receive and support for rotational movement a tube assembly comprising tubular housing 12 and a ceramic tube 21. The housing 12 is formed with a downwardly facing annular shoulder 13 for abutting engagement against the upper surface 11'. To provide an air-tight seal between gasket 14 is inteposed therebetween.

The housing 12 is formed with a frusto-conical outer surface 16 extending upwardly from the shoulder 13 for telescopic engagement by a retainer ring 17 secured to the wedge shape ring 8 by means of cap screws 18. As illustrated in Figure 2 in the drawing, the longitudinal axis A of the housing 12 is perpendicular to the ring surface 11, the housing being formed with a bore 19 having its axis B disposed at an angle of, for example, 3% degrees from the axis A and perpendicular to the plane of the cover 6.

The upper end of the ceramic tube 21 is disposed within the bore 19 and secured to the housing 12 by means of a suitable wet type air setting refractory 22 comprising, for example, amix of Percent Si0 46 F e 0 1 2 3 44 TiO 1 Na O 3 5% combined water.

The mix 22 is poured into an annular chamber 20 defined between the tube 21 and housing bore 19, and then dried by heating the housing by means of a flame. During pouring, the mix 22 is retained within the chamber 20 by means of a sealer ring (not shown) positioned and supported against the bottom of the housing 12, thus preventing leakage of the mix downwardly from the chamber. After the mix-has solidified, the sealer ring is removed. The bore 19 and tube 21 are coaxial and perpendicular to the horizontally'disposed cover 6. The mix 22, mixed to a putty consistency, is used to fill all voids and to form a small fillet 34 at the bottom of the mix junction between the housing 12 and the ceramic tube 21, thus providing a better seal.

In order to afford a bearing surface between the mold and the top of the housing 12, a ring or washer 23 preferably formed of graphite or cast iron, may be mounted within .the bore 19 and secured in fixed position by means of cap screws 24. Inasmuch as the outside diameters 'ofthe'tubesvary' slightly, it is desirable to provide'the washer23 withan inside diameter slightly larger than the average outside diameter of standard tubes. The space between the washer and tube maythen be filled inwith'thernixZZ. I

After the tube 21 has been "cemented to the housing 12, the-outer surface ofthe tubeandthe entire .outer surface of the fillet 34, .andthe junctions of the fillet. and the housing, and thefillet"'an'd' the tube are coated with glaze 25 from the bottomvof the housing to" within $.18 or 20 inches from the lower end of the tube-to prevent leakage of air through the wall of the tube into the interior thereof and thence into the'molten metal. The glaze 25 may comprise, for example,the"following Tosmount the tubeLZLand housing 12 inthe cover 6, the retainerring17.isffirst. removedirom the structure and thehousinglismanually. rotated aboutits .ax-is until the longitudinal axis. of .thetube is normal to .the surface of the metal. Thiscan be done by means of a suitable tool or rod. inserted intoone of; the circumferentially spaced sockets .26 providedin the-housing. The housing 12 is then securdinits adjusted position by means of the retainer ring .17 an'dscrewsl 13.

The retainer ring 17 is formed withtan outer frustoconical surface 27 for snug engagement against a complementary 'frusto-conical opening 28 formed in the bottom 29 of the drag 31 of the -mold.7, the moldbeing provided with a gate'32 in registry and axial alignment with the passageway 33 of the tube21. When a mold is seated upon the retainer -ring '17," the mold and casting cavity therein are inclined for thepurpose of preventing the entrapment of air within the cavity as .thelatter .is being filled with molten metal, as disclosed in said patent application.

As the tube l1 islformed from ceramiematerial and is relativelyfragile andsubject to breakage due to impropeuhandling or thermal shock, the greatest possible care should be taken in handling, mounting and using the tube. It'has'been'determined that the critical thermal shock temperatures for the tube are between "7 F. andll50 F. Therefore,'the'following procedure is .-a preferred'methodfor"preventingbreakage of the .tube due to thermal shock:

(1) Place the cover 6 and the pouring spout structure S-in a preheat furnace with the furnace controller set at approximately 700 F.

(2) In not less than.2 lhours,:set lfurnace controller at approximately 1150".:F.

(3) In notlless thant-Zrhours,.set'furnace controller atapproximately 1800 .(4) Upon reaching :a temperature *of .approximately 1800 F. .thepouring spoutrstructure.isiready lfor use' in a pressure casting-apparatus and should;be:transferred theretofrom thegpreheat:- furnace: as. rapidly .as possible .At completion .of pour, return-pouringuspout structure 5. and;coveri6 to .preheatfurnace immediately.

While the. inventionhasbeen-shown in butsonelform, itis obvious to those skilledinithe art that it isinot so limited .but is susceptible of .various chang'esandtmodifications without departing from the spiritand scopeof the claimed invention.

I claim:

' l..LIn. a casting apparatus, a. removable .coverxrhaving amaperture therein, .a wedgeshape. ring secured.to:said

coverand having an :opening. in registry with:.said aperture, a tubular housing journaled in said ring and projecting through said opening and aperture, an annular shoulder on said housing in sealed engagement against the upper side of said wedge shape ring, a retainer ring sleeved over and engaging the upper end of said housing, means securing the retainer ring to said Wedge shape ring, and a ceramic tube having one end thereof secured within said 1 housing.

2. In a cutting apparatus, a'removable cover having an aperture therein, a wedge shape ring secured to said cover'and having anopening inregistry with said'aperture, a tubular housing journaled in said ring'and projecting through said opening and aperture, an annular shoulder on'saidhousing in sealed engagement against the upper side of said wedge =shape .ring, a retainer ring sleeved over and engaging 'the upper end of said housing, means securing the retainer ring to said wedge shape ring, and a ceramictube havingone .endthereofesecured withinsaid housing, said tube projectingdoWnwardly at an angle .to the longitudinal 'axis of .said housing.

"3. In a'casting'apparatus,'a removable covenhaving an aperture therein, a'wedge shape ring secured -to..said cover and having an opening in registry with said-aperture,'a' tubular housing journaled in said ring and projecting through said openingan'd aperture, an annularshoulder on'said housing'in "sealed engagement against .the upper side of said wedge'shape ring, a retainer ring sleeved over and engaging'the'upper end of said housing, means securing the'retainer ring to said wedge shape ring, and-aceramic tube having one end'thereof secured within saidhousing, said tube projecting downwardly at an angle to the'longitudinal axis. of said housing,'said housing being rotatively adjustable'to vary the angle between the cover and the axis of said tube.

'4. In a casting apparatus, a removable cover having an aperture therein, a Wedge shape ring secured to said cover and having an opening in registry'with said aperture, a tubular housing journaled in said ring and projecting through said opening and aperture, an annular shoulder on said housing in sealed engagement against the upper side of said wedge shape ring, .a retainer ring sleeved over and engaging the upper end of said housing, means securing the retainer ring to saidwedge shape ring, a ceramic tube having one end thereof secured within said housing, and a glaze coatingon the outer surface of said tube.

5.;In a:casting apparatus, a removable tcover having an aperturethereim'a wedge shape ring'secured to'said cover and having an opening in registry with'saidaperture,.a tubular housing journaled in said ring and' projectingthro'ughlsaid opening and aperture, an annular shoulder:on..said housing in'sealed engagement againstthe upper side of said wedge shape ring, a retainer ring sleeved over and engaging the upperend'of saidhousing, means securing the retainer ring to said wedge'shape ring, a ceramic tube having one end thereof secured within said housing, and a glaze coating on the outer surface of said tube, said glaze coating extending from the lower'end of said housing and terminating in spaced relation to the lowerend of the tube.

.6. In a casting apparatus, a removable cover having an aperture therein, a wedge shape ring secured to said cover and having an opening in registry with saidaperture, a tubular housing journaled' in said ring and projectingrthrough said opening andaperture, an annularshoulder on said housing in sealed engagement'against the uppersideof said wedge shapering, a retainer'member engaging the upper end ofisaid'housing, means securing the retainer member .to'said'wedge' shape ring, and a ceramic tube having one end thereof enclosed within and cemented to said housing.

7. ha casting apparatus, a removable cover having an aperture therein,--a wedge shape-i'ingsecured to.said cover and having an opening in're'gistry with'said aperture, a tubular housing journaled in said ring and projecting through said opening and aperture, an annular shoulder on said housing in sealed engagement against the upper side of said wedge shape ring, a retainer ring sleeved over and engaging the upper end of said housing, threaded fasteners securing the retainer ring to said wedge shape ring, a ceramic tube having one end thereof cemented to said housing, and a ring secured within the upper end of said housing and enclosing the upper end of said tube.

8. In a casting apparatus, a removable cover having an aperture therein, a wedge shape ring secured to said cover and having an opening in registry with said aperture, a tubular housing journaled in said ring and pro jecting through said opening and aperture, an annular shoulder on said housing in sealed engagement against the upper side of said wedge shape ring, a retainer ring sleeved over and engaging the upper end of said housing, threaded fasteners securing the retainer ring to said wedge shape ring, and a ceramic tube having one end thereof secured within said housing, said retainer ring having a frusto-conical outer surface to support a mold.

9. In a casting apparatus, a removable cover having an aperture therein, a wedge shape ring secured to said cover and having an, opening in registry with said aperture, a tubular housing journaled in said ring and projecting through said opening and aperture, an annular shoulder on said housing in sealed engagement against the upper side of said wedge shape ring, a retainer ring sleeved over and engaging the upper end of said housing, threaded fasteners securing the retainer ring to said wedge shape ring, and a ceramic tube having one end thereof secured within said housing, said housing and retainer ring having complementary abutting frusto-conical surfaces.

10. In a casting apparatus, a removable cover having an aperture therein, a wedge shape ring secured to said cover and having an opening in registry with said aperture, a tubular housing journaled in said ring and projecting through said opening and aperture, an annular shoulder on said housing in sealed engagement against the upper side of said wedge shape ring, a retainer ring sleeved over and engaging the upper end of said housing, means securing the retainer ring to said wedge shape ring, a ceramic tube having one end thereof secured within said housing, and a glaze coating on the outer surface of said tube, said glaze coating extending between the tube and the housing to provide an airtight seal therebetween.

11. In a pouring spout structure for a casting apparatus, a container for molten metal having an aperture therein, a ceramic tube having a portion secured within said aperture, and means to movably mount said tube in said aperture so that the angle of the longitudinal axis of said tube relative to the vertical can be regulated.

12. In a pouring spout structure for effecting the transfer of molten metal from within a container to a mold disposed above, said container having an aperture extending therethrough, a housing ofiering support for said mold, a pouring tube having a portion secured within said housing and afiording communication between said container and said mold, and means for adjusting the longitudinal axis of the tube relative to the vertical comprising means to rotatably mount said housing within the aperture of said container.

13. In a pouring structure for a casting apparatus; the combination of a container having molten metal therein, a pouring tube extending through an opening of the container, means affording a flexible gas tight seal between the tube and the container around said opening, and means for adjusting said tube in said opening to position the tube with its longitudinal axis substantially vertical.

14.v In a pouring structure for a casting apparatus; the combination of a container, a tube supporting member, readily removable means anchoring the member within an opening of the container, a pouring tube extending through the member and defining therewith a space around the tube, a ring seated in a complementary recess in the top of the member, removable means anchoring the ring to the member, the inner perimeter of saidring defining with said tube another space around the tube, and refractory cement in said spaces affording a sealed bond between the tube, the member, and the ring, said ring projecting above the top of said member and having an upwardly facing bearing surface formed and arranged to seat against a downwardly facing mating surface of an associated mold to be filled by molten metal flowing through said tube.

15. In a pouring structure for a casting apparatus; the combination of a container having an aperture, a tube assembly removably mounted in said aperture and having a sealed connection to the container therearound, said assembly having an upwardly facing annular seat to mate with a downwardly facing seat of an associated mold, and said assembly having an upwardly tapered perimeter located below said upwardly facing seat, a ring sleeved over said assembly and having an inner perimeter tapered upwardly and mated with the first mentioned perimeter, and means for urging the ring toward the container to clamp the assembly in said aperture.

16. In a pouring spout structure arrangement for a casting apparatus, a pouring tube supporting member having an aperture therein, a ceramic tube having a portion disposed within a bore of said member, a layer of cement operable to secure said tube within the bore of said member, said layer being interposed between said tube and said member and forming a fillet therebetween at the bottom of said aperture, and an uninterrupted air .tight glaze coating on the outer surfaces of said tube,

member, and fillet at the junctions therebetween.

17. In a pouring spout structure for a casting apparatus, a container for molten metal having an aperture therein, a fragile tube having a portion secured within said aperture, and means to movably mount said tube in said aperture so that the angle of the longitudinal axis of said tube relative to the vertical can be regulated.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 969,539 Kitchen Sept. 6, 1910 1,126,079 Queneau Jan. 26, 1915 2,549,790 Finkeldey et a1. Apr. 24, 1951 2,564,427 Rugeris Aug. 14, 1951 

